Air diffuser



Sept. 17, 1968 G. HQNERKAMP 3,401,622

AIR DIFFUSER Filed Aug. 30, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR.

FRIEDRICH G. HONERKAMP ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1968 F. G. HONERKAMP AIRDIFFUSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. I50, 1966 United States Patent3,401,622 AIR DIFFUSER Friedrich G. Honerkamp, Clarks Summit, Pa.,assiguor to Dynamics Corporation of America, New York, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Aug. 30, 1966, Ser. No. 576,126 15 Claims.(Cl. 98-40) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A slot diffuser receiving airfrom a distribution source and connected to an air distributor on alight troffer has an elongated deflector supported for pivotal movementabout and lateral movement relative to a fixed axis. The deflector ismovable to one position to direct a flow of air along one wall of thedistributor so that air emanates downwardly from the distributordischarge opening and to another position to direct the flow toward :alip of the distributor so that air impinges on the lip and emanates fromthe distributor transversely of its discharge opening.

This invention relates in general to air distribution apparatus anddeals more particularly with a slot diffuser for connection at aterminal end of an air distribution system to control the volume anddirection of air discharge therefrom.

The diffuser of the present invention may be variously employed tocontrol directional distribution of air in diffused form from an :airdistribution system, however, it is particularly adapted for use with aceiling recessed light troffer or the like provided with an air flowpassageway along a marginal portion thereof. The diffuser is adapted tobe mounted above or to the rear of the light troffer and communicatewith the the troffer air passageway and to control the discharge of airtherethrough.

The general aim of the present invention is to provide an improved slotdiffuser to control the volume and direction of flow from an airdistribution system.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a diffuser ofthe aforedescribed character to selectively discharge diffused airgenerally horizontally or in a ceiling plane and generally verticallydownwardly from an associated ceiling light troffer or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a slot diffuser whereinthe volume of air discharged therefrom may be selectively controlled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a slot diffuser whereinthe volume and direction of air discharged therefrom may be rapidly andconveniently selectively adjusted from a position generally below orforward of the face thereof without removing the diffuser from anassociated troffer.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will he apparatus from thefollowing description and from the drawings forming a part thereof.

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the invention and suchembodiments will be described, but it will be understood that variouschanges may be made from the construction disclosed, and that thedrawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limitingthe scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of thisspecification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling recessed light troffer showinga piar of diffusers of the present invention in assembled relationshipwith the troffer, the diffusers being joined together by a connectingduct.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the troffer and diffusers of FIG.1.

3,401,622 Patented Sept. 17, 1968 "ice FIG. 3 is a plan view of an airdiffuser embodying the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the air diffuser of FIG. 3

FIG. 5 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along theline 5-5 of FIG. 4 and shows the diffuser in an assembled condition witha light troffer.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along theline 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view generally similar to thesectional view of FIG. 5 but shows another embodiment of a clip forretaining the diffuser in assembly with an associated light troffer.

The air diffuser of the present invention is adapted to receive air froma distribution source and to direct the air received therefrom forwardlythrough an associated passageway which has a lip at its downstream enddirected inwardly or toward the center of the passageway. The diffuseris provided with one or more movable air deflectors which may beselectively positioned to direct the flow of air generally toward thelip to cause the air to be discharged generally laterally of thepassageway and to direct the flow generally away from the lip to causeair to flow forwardly from the passageway. The diffuser is also providedwith one or more damper means to selectively control the volume of airflowing from the diffuser and through the passageway.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a pair of diffusers indicatedgenerally at 10, 10 and embodying the present invention are shown inassembled relationship with air distributors which form part of atypical light troffer indicated generally at 12. The diffusers 10, 10are interconnected by a short duct section 14 provided with an inletopening 16 for connection with an air distribution source (not shown).

The troffer 12 includes an elongated generally horizontal upper or rearwall 18, a pair of transversely disposed vertically extending end walls20, 20 and longitudinally extending side walls 22, 22. The side wallsare inclined generally upwardly and toward the center of the troffer ina series of inclined steps to provide a plurality of reflecting surfacesfor elongated tubular fluorescent lamps 24, 24 housed in the troffer.Along each longitudinally extending marginal edge portion of the trofferis provided two transversely spaced and generally parallel elongatedside walls 26 and 28 which extend between the end walls 20, 20 to definea relatively narrow elongated air flow passageway 30 best shown in FIG.5. The passageway 30 is partially closed at its upstream end by agenerally horizontally disposed longitudinally extending wall 31defining a slot 32 communicating with the passageway and which isadapted to communicate with the diffuser 10 in a manner to behereinafter described.

At its forward or downstream end the marginal edge portion of the wall28 is bent outwardly or away from the center of the passageway 30 and isfolded back against itself to form a longitudinally extending outwardlyprojecting border flange 33 and a longitudinally extending lip 34directed inwardly from the wall 28. The forward marginal edge portion ofthe Wall 26 is turned generally outwardly and upwardly to form alongitudinally extending border flange 36.

An elongated air discharge opening 38 at the face of the troffer 12 isdefined by the wall 26 and the inner edge of the lip 34. The borderflanges 33 and 36 serve to reduce the occurrence of air turbulenceproximate the discharge opening 38 caused by the flow of airtherethrough.

Considering now the diffuser and referring particularly to FIGS. 3through 6, the diffuser 10 generally comprises a housing indicatedgenerally at 40 defining a relatively narrow elongated air channeladapted to communicate with the troffer passageway 30 at the upstreamend 3 thereof. The construction and configuration of the housing mayvary widely but preferably and as shown is formed in two parts and ischaracterized by relatively thin walls and a generally elongatedtrapezoidal shape.

The first part of the housing includes an elongated trapezoidally shapedside wall indicated generally at 42 which has a generally verticallydisposed upper portion 44, a downwardly inclined intermediate portion 46and a generally vertically disposed lower portion 48 extendingdownwardly from the intermediate portion. The first part also includes atop wall 50 and end walls 52, 52 which are integrally connected with theside wall 42. A generally vertically disposed border flange 54 projectsoutwardly from the top and end walls.

The second part of the housing is formed by a substantially flatvertically disposed trapezoidally shaped side wall 56 which is joinedwith the first part along the border flange 54 by spot-welding or othersuitable fastening means.

The side wall 56, the lower portion 48, and the end walls 52, 52together define a relatively narrow elongated generally rectangular airflow channel 58. At this point it should be noted that longitudinallyextending inwardly directed lips 60 and 62 are respectively formed atthe lower marginal edge portions of the wall 56 and the lower portion48. The lips 60 and 62 respectively provide generally upwardly facingseating surfaces 64 and 66 for a purpose that will be hereinafterevident. It will be further noted that the inner edges of the lips 60and 62 and the end walls 52, 52 define a slot 67 at the downstream endor face of the diffuser.

To impart rigidity to the elongated housing 40 and to support otherparts of the diffuser to be hereinafter described two longitudinallyspaced apart generally vertically disposed partitions 68, 68 extendtransversely between the wall 56 and the lower portion 48 dividing thechannel 58 into three longitudinally elongated sections. Each partition68 includes a longitudinally directed tab 78 which is riveted orotherwise suitably fastened to the inner surface of the lower portion48. Each partition further includes a tab 72 which is adapted to extendtransversely outwardly through a slot in the wall 56. The tab 72 is bentto a longitudinally extending position after the housing parts areassembled.

Various means may be provided for connecting the diffuser 10 with an airdistribution source. As previously noted, the illustrated diffuser 10 isparticularly adapted for interconnection with a substantially identicaldiffuser. For this purpose a relatively short neck 74 providing agenerally oval-shaped inlet opening 76 communicating with the interiorof the housing 40 is integrally connected with the wall 42 and projectsoutwardly therefrom. The neck 74 is adapted for connection with the ductsection 14 as previously discussed.

Preferably, a means is provided for releasably retaining the diffuser inassembly with an associated light troffer. As best shown in FIGS. 4through 6 the retaining means preferably comprises a plurality of springclips 78, 78 depending from the diffuser 10 and adapted to engage thetrofle-r 12 at the upstream end of the passageway 30. Each clip 78 ispreferably formed from flat spring metal and is carried by an associatedtab 80 which may, for example, be spot-welded thereto or integrallyformed thereon. Each tab 80 extends upwardly through the slot 67adjacent a partition 68 and is secured to the partition by a rivet 82.Each clip 78 has a generally triangular configuration and includes twoangularly forwardly and inwardly inclined portions 84, 84 and a free endportion 86 adapted to be sprung generally inwardly when the inclinedportions 84, 84 engage the longitudinal edges of the troffer slot 32 asthe diffuser is moved into assembly with the troffer 12. Each clip 78further includes two generally upwardly facing surface portions 88 and90 which are adapted to bear against associated portions of the lowersurface of the wall 31 to retain the diffuser in assembly with thetroffer.

When the diffuser 10 and the troffer 12 are in assembled condition thediffuser slot 67 is generally aligned with the troffer slot 32 and theside wall portions of the diffuser which define the passageway 58 formthe general upward extension of the troffer side walls 26 and 28.

In accordance with the present invention the diffuser is provided withat least one air deflector which is supported in the channel 58 forselective positioning therein. The illustrated diffuser 10 has threesuch deflectors indicated generally at 92, 92 each of which is disposedin an associated section of the channel 58,

The deflector may take various forms but preferably, and as shown, itincludes two elongated angularly related portions or rectangular baflies94, 94 outwardly projecting from a common longitudinally extendingvertex 96. The angular relationship between the baflies may vary butpreferably the baffles are angularly spaced within 90. At each of itsends each deflector is provided with a transversely disposed ear 98which has an elongated slot 100 therein. Preferably, and as shown, theslot 100 is arranged with the center line thereof generally bisectingthe included angle formed by the baffles 94, 94.

Each deflector 92 is arranged for pivotal movement about an axisextending longitudinally of the channel 58 and for lateral movementrelative to the side walls thereof. Pivotal support for each end of eachdeflector 92 is provided by a pivot pin or rivet such as indicated at102 which is received within an associated slot 100 and which engages anassociated partition 68 or end wall 52 approximately midway between theside walls of the channel.

Each of the deflectors 92 may be selectively positioned in one of twopositions to control the direction of air discharge from an associatedportion of the passageway 30. Further support for each deflector isprovided by one or the other of the seating surfaces 64 and 66 whichprovide means for maintaining the said deflector in a selected position.

In FIG. 5 a deflector 92 is shown in a first position wherein one of thebaflles 94 lies generally adjacent one side wall 42 and the other of thebaffles rests on the seating surface 64 and projects generally inwardlyfrom the wall 42. Air from the distribution source flows generallydownwardly through the channel 58 and is directed generally toward thetroffer side wall 26 by the deflector and generally away from the lip 34as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5. Thus, air flows generallydownwardly or forwardly from the passageway 30 when the deflector is ina first position.

In FIG. 7 a deflector 92 is shown in a second position and it will benoted that one of the bafiies 94 resides generally adjacent the otherside wall 56. The other baflie 94 rests upon the seating surface 66 andprojects generall inwardly from the wall 56. When the deflector is inits second position air flowing from the diffuser is directed generallytoward the troffer side wall 28 so that the resulting flow through thepassageway 30 impinges upon the lip 34 to cause air to flow generallylaterally outwardly through the discharge opening 38 as generallyindicated by the arrows in FIG. 7.

The diffuser of the present invention is preferably also provided withdamper means for controlling the air flow emanating therefrom withoutsubstantially altering the directional pattern of air flow therethrough.In the present'ly preferred embodiment of the invention a separatedamper means or damper indicated generally at 104, 104 is provided ineach section of the channel 58 upstream of the deflector 92 as bestshown in FIGS. 4 through 6.

Each damper 104 comprises an elongated vane 106 pivotally supported inthe chamber 58 for movement between open and closed positions. At eachend of the vane 106 is formed a transversely extending ear 108 whichreceives a rivet 110 seated in an associated partition 68 or Wall 52 toprovide pivotal support for the vane.

At its lower or downstream end, the longitudinally extending marginaledge portion of each vane 106 is bent outwardly or toward the wall 56 toform an elongated lip 112 generally normal to the surface of the vane.The upper marginal edge portion of each vane 106 is inclined relative tothe vane to form an elongated longitudinally extending lip 114 which isadapted to engage the wall 56 when the damper is pivoted in acounterclockwise direction to a closed position indicated by brokenlines at 104a in FIG. 5. It will be noted that in the closed position alower edge of the vane 106 bears against the wall 42 so that the flow ofair through the channel 58 is totally restricted.

In FIG. 5 the damper 104 is shown by solid lines in its maximum openposition. It will be further noted that the damper remains in an openposition when it is pivoted in a clockwise direction to the broken lineposition indicated at 104b. In the latter position the lip 1'12 engagesthe wall 56 and the lip 114 is inwardly spaced from the wall 42 topermit air to flow therebetween.

The diffuser may be rapidly and conveniently adjusted from a positionbelow or forward of the troffer 12 without separating the diffuser fromthe troffer. Preferably, an elongated rod or the like is employed toselectively position the air deflector 92 and the damper 104.

To adjust the deflector, a rod is inserted upwardly through the trofferpassageway 30 and through the ditfuser slot 67 to engage the lowersurface of a deflector vane 94. When an upwardly directed force isapplied to the said vane the deflector is caused to move generallyupwardly and laterally inwardly due to the angular relationship betweenthe vanes 94, 94 and the slots 100, 100. As the deflector reaches aposition wherein it is free to pivot about its axis the rod is used tourge the deflector to pivot generally toward its other position on theopposite side of the channel. When the deflector attains a positionwherein a portion of one of its vanes engages the opposite side wall ofthe channel further pivotal movement is limited and the deflector iscaused to move generally downwardly and outwardly to seek a positionwherein one of the vanes lies generally adjacent the inner surface of anassociated side wall of the diffuser and the other of the vanes restsupon an associated side wall of the diffuser and the other of the vanesrests upon an associated seating surface.

Adjustment of the damper 104 may be accomplished by inserting a rodupwardly through the channel 58 to engage a surface of the vane 106above or below the vane axis as required to urge the vane to pivot to aselected position.

In FIG. 7 is shown another diffuser indicated generally at 10a embodyingthe present invention and adapted for use with a trotfer such asindicated at 12. The diffuser 10a includes a housing indicated generallyat 40 and an air deflector and a damper means respectively generallyindicated at 92 and 104. The aforementioned components are substantiallyidentical in all respects to the corresponding parts of the previouslydescribed embodiment. However, the diffuser 10a differs from the onepreviously described principally in the construction and arrangement inthe means for retaining the diffuser in assembly with the troifer 12.

Specifically, the retaining means comprises a spring clip indicatedgenerally at 116. The clip which is preferably formed from spring wireis wound in one or more coils 117 at its central portion and has twoelongated legs 118, 118 which extend downwardly and outwardly throughthe diffuser slot. The free end portions of the legs 118, 118 are bentgenerally outwardly to provide upwardly facing surface portions 120, 120adapted to engage the downwardly facing surface of the troffer wall 31.The legs 118, 118 include downwardly and inwardly inclined outer endportions 122, 122 for engaging the inner edges of the troffer slot 32when the diffuser 10a is brought into assembly with the troffer 12 in amanner previously described. A single rivet 124 extends through thecoils 117 and engages an associated partition 68 to retain each clip 116in assembly with the diffuser 10a.

The invention claimed is:

1. A slot diffuser for use with an air distributor having two generallyparallel elongated side walls defining an elongated air flow passagewayand having an elongated lip at the downstream end of said passageway anddirected inwardly from one of said walls toward the center of saidpassageway, said lip and the other of the said walls defining anelongated air channel adapted to communicate downwardly with saiddistributor air passageway at the upstream end thereof, said diffuserside walls forming the general upward extension of said distributor sidewalls, means for connecting said channel with an air distributionsource, and an elongated air deflector including at least two elongatedangularly related portions, said deflector being supported within saidchannel for .pivotal movement about a fixed axis extendinglongitudinally of said channel and for lateral movement relative to saidfixed axis to a first position wherein one of the said side portionslies generally adjacent one side wall of said channel and the other ofthe said portions projects generally inwardly therefrom and toward thecenter of said channel and to a second position wherein the other of thesaid portions lies adjacent the other side wall of said channel and saidone side portion projects generally inwardly therefrom and toward thecenter of said channel, said deflector serving in said first position todirect air flow from said channel and generally along said otherpassageway wall so that air emanates generally downwardly from saidpassageway, said deflector serving in said second position to direct airflow from said channel generally along said one passageway wall so thatsaid air impinges upon said distributor lip and emanates from saiddischarge opening along a generally transverse path relative thereto.

2. A diffuser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said axis is provided byat least one pivot pin fixed relative to said diffuser about midwaybetween said side walls thereof, said pin being received in an elongatedslot in said deflector.

3. A diffuser as set forth in claim 1 is further characterized by saidangularly related portions of said deflector comprising elongatedgenerally rectangular baflles having a common longitudinally extendingvertex.

4. A diffuser as set forth in claim 3 wherein said baflles are arrangedwith an included angle not exceeding 5. A slot diffuser as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said means for supporting said deflector includesseating means for maintaining said deflector in said first and secondpositions.

6. A slot diffuser as set forth in claim 5 wherein said seating meanscomprises a lip directed inwardly from each of said diffuser side walls,each said lip including a generally upwardly facing seating surface.

7. A slot diffuser as set forth in claim 1 including damper means forcontrolling air flow from said chamher, said damper means beingineffective with respect to the directional control of air flow asachieved by the aforesaid deflector.

8. A slot diffuser as set forth in claim 7 wherein said damper meanscomprises an elongated vane pivotally supported in said chamber formovement between open and closed positions.

9. A slot diffuser as set forth in claim 1 including means forreleasably retaining said diffuser in assembly with said distributor.

10. A slot diffuser as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means forreleasably retaining said diffuser in assembly with said distributorcomprises a spring clip depending from said difiuser and adapted toengage said distributor at the upstream end of said passageway.

11. An air diffuser comprising two generally vertical side wallsdefining an elongated air channel opening downwardly, means connectingsaid channel with an air distribution source, an air deflector includingat least two elongated horizontally extending angularly relatedportions, means providing a variable horizontally extending pivot axisabove said angular related portions for supporting said deflector withinsaid channel for generally arcuate movement below said axis betweenfirst and second positions to one and the opposite side of said axis toselectively alter the pattern of air flow from said channel, saiddeflector in said first position having one of said portions disposedgenerally adjacent one side wall and the other of said portionsextending inwardly therefrom and generally toward the center of saidchannel, said deflector in said second position having the other of saidportions disposed generally adjacent the other side wall and said oneportion extending inwardly from said other Side wall and generallytoward the center of said channel, and seating means for providingvertical support for said deflector in said first and second positions.

12. A difluser as set forth in claim 11 wherein said axis is provided byat least one pivot pin fixed relative to said diffuser about midwaybetween said side walls thereof, said pin being received in an elongatedslot in said deflector.

13. A diffuser as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by saidangularly related portions of said deflector comprising elongatedgenerally rectangular baflles having a common longitudinally extendingvertex.

14. A difluser as set forth in claim 13 wherein said baflies areangularly arranged with an included angle not exceeding 15. A slotdifluser as set forth in claim 13 wherein said seating means comprises alip directed inwardly from each of said diffuser side walls, each saidlip including a generally upwardly facing seating surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,176,604 4/1965 Raider et a1.9840 3,194,145 7/1965 Robertson 9840 3,220,332 11/1965 Straub 98403,260,188 7/ 1966 Person 9840 3,276,348 10/1966 Kennedy 9840 3,308,7443/1967 Schach 98-40 3,320,869 5/1967 Schach 98-40 ROBERT A. OLEARY,Primary Examiner.

W. E. WAYNER, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE Washington, 0.6. 20231 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,401,622September 17, 1968 Friedrich G. Honerkamp It is certified that errorappears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 56, "apparatus" should read apparent line 69, "piar"should read pair Column 6, line 14, after "elongated air" insertdischarge opening, said diffuser comprising two generally parallelelongated side walls defining an elongated air Signed and sealed this27th day of January 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

